Feds Tracking Americans' Credit Cards in Real-Time Without a Warrant

[FarCenter]

It should surprise very few to learn that federal law enforcement agencies track Americans without getting court orders, but this time the feds have been tracking U.S. residents using real-time surveillance of credit card transactions and travel reservations.

Security researcher Christopher Soghoian obtained a 10 page document from the Justice Department about "hotwatch" orders. "As the document makes clear, Federal law enforcement agencies do not limit their surveillance of US residents to phone calls, emails and geo-location information. They are also interested in calling cards, credit cards, rental cars and airline reservations, as well as retail shopping clubs," Soghoian explained.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/feds-tracking-americans-credit-cards-real-tim

[MadHound]

1. And people wonder why I'm on pretty much a cash only basis

I write a few checks for large purchases, but I don't have a credit card, never have had one. Nor to I sign up for shopping clubs. I don't want my purchases tracked by any entity, corporate or government.

[FarCenter]

3. The same type of warrentless subpoena is probably sufficient to track your checking account

Actually, if you write a check over $10,000 or a series of checks in a suspicious pattern, the record of those transactions is sent automatically to the government without their asking for it.

[MadHound]

5. And what do they see?

That I pay my bills, and once in a while the purchase of a large item, like a TV or such.

Trust me, due to a "misspent youth" I know exactly what information I leave behind when I make a purchase with a check.

[struggle4progress]

2. So Soghoian got a copy of a 10 page powerpoint presentation that outlined crudely

some techniques for realtime tracking and the current mechanisms of law allowing it

I'd be delighted to get rid of the "Administrative Subpoenas" -- but the facts don't obviously match the headline of the OP

Link to pdf of powerpoint here:
DOJ's "hotwatch" real-time surveillance of credit card transactions
http://paranoia.dubfire.net/2010/12/dojs-hotwatch-real-time-surveillance-of.html

[Lucian]

4. I'm glad the feds know when I buy KY Warming Sensation and cock rings at Walmart.

Thank you for keeping America safe! :patriot:

:eyes:

[Turbineguy]

6. I would not expect Walmart

to warn you that there's been a recall on cockrings!

[Lucian]

7. Vibrating cock rings.

The worst that could happen is that it could give my woohoo a little zap, but that may feel good. Who knows. :shrug:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: